Culture is the base of a vibrant society, expressed in various forms, such as telling old stories, reminiscing about past experiences, celebrating events, and planning for the future. Culture not only defines who we are but also helps the emerging generation to see the world through that particular lens. In addition to its intrinsic value, culture provides important social and economic benefits. Preserving our unique cultural assets is economically and socially beneficial for the community as a whole, by opening up avenues like tourism and above all strengthening our identity and creating a sense of belonging within our communities.

My Pakistani culture prepares us for the future by creating awareness among the next generation about the norms and rules of the community and family, which include values such as respect for the elderly and being hospitable to guests. Moreover, keeping age-old practices and products alive is another way of helping the community remain close to our culture in the future. For example, Ancient “Desi totkas” for the common cold, headaches, and healthy hair and skin have been passed on from generation to generation, and are still used commonly today.

Culture can be personified through heroes and leaders as most people look to their leaders for behavioral cues. In our culture, many of us put the founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, on a pedestal and consistently try to emulate his values and vision for our nation. Furthermore, leaders who give time to promote culture and speak to it constantly will breathe life into their people by recognizing what is key for a mature organization. Culture is not a “set it and forget it” program or quote. It is an extremely important and vital group of actions, practices, norms, and rules that need to be followed by the emerging generations.

My culture prepares for the future by instilling right choices in the upcoming generation to promote a healthy lifestyle and thriving society. However, the astronomical impact of globalization on our younger generations makes me feel that my culture may die out, as the element of responsibility for representing and respecting our culture is often not seen. Cultures and communities are only kept alive when people take responsibility for it. Feeding, growing, nurturing, and tending to great culture can only happen when one identifies their role as a representative of it.